Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash: 7 Killed in Chopper Crash on June 15

While it is natural for policies to evolve over time, what is truly unsettling is how often they change only after a life is lost. The tragic helicopter crash on June 15 has now prompted Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to issue strict directives for chopper operations—an all-too-familiar pattern where action follows aftermath.

Dhami has also asked the chief secretary to constitute a committee of technical experts, which will prepare a standing operating procedure. The new SOP will likely mandate a complete check of helicopter’s technical condition, taking accurate weather information prior to the flight.

Aryan Aviation Pvt. Ltd.’s helicopter which was flying from Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi crashed in the jungles of Gaurikund, claiming seven lives on board, including the pilot. One pilot, three adult passengers, and a 10-year old child lost their lives in the crash. Helicopter services operating in the Char Dham region have been suspended until further notice, according to reports.

The helicopter took off at 5:17 am for Guptkashi and was on its return journey from Kedarnath with passengers when it deviated from its intended route due to adverse weather conditions in the Kedarnath valley. Officials have confirmed that severe weather in the area likely caused the aircraft to go off course.

This is the second air accident in less than a week. On June 12, an Air India flight en-route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed moments after taking-off from the airport. All except one on-board were killed in the accident. Of these, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 were Portuguese nationals.

"The importance of the helicopter services in the state is immense for pilgrimage, disaster management and emergency services, hence safety needs to be given a top priority in this," reports quoted Dhami as saying.